Joseph Kirkby & Sons
The founder of this firm apparently had a varied career. Joseph Kirkby was probably baptised on 22 January 1768, the son of Samuel (a cutler). Apprenticeship records suggest that he may have started training with his father in 1781 and become a Freeman in 1795. In the same year, he married Hannah Cuttler (c.1777-1869). It is difficult to follow his early career in local directories, but he specialised in silver plate. He may have operated Smith, Kirkby & Co, which was active by 1790 in Lambe....
